The instant he's on her mind, Rey blushes as her mind replays the events of last night. Her fingertips touch her wrists where he gently caressed her then to her knuckles where his lips had graced her skin. She trembles in his bed and tries to shake off these emotions. They've only just met and she shouldn't be having such strong emotions for him, especially with him being a pirate.
Her feet swing over the bed and she makes her way towards the cabin door and out onto the deck of the ship. The morning rays of the sun are just starting to peek out from the horizon line as the sky turns a tender pink. Rey walks over to the railing on the port side and gazes across the water. Her breath catches as she takes in all of its splendor.
Across the deck, Kylo makes his way out of his crew's shared quarters and walks up to greet the morning. His eyes scan across his ship until they fall on Rey. He stops in his tracks and stares at her, feeling his heart race beneath his wide chest as he watches wisps of her brown hair flutter around her beautiful face. The rays of the sun illuminate her and Kylo feels as if she's an angel, doubting her existence as being anything but real. Slowly he makes his way over to her.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asks gently.
Rey turns towards his voice and offers him a small smile. Kylo returns it as he stands beside her. They both look out across the vast ocean.
"I've never seen anything like it," she breathes.
He smiles at her and slides just a hair closer to her. His skin bristles with goosebumps from their nearness and he wills his body to relax. Of course he's seen plenty of women through his travels, even stolen a few kisses here and there. But this woman has captured his attention more than most. There is a wonder to her which keeps him wanting to know more about her.
"I take it you haven't traveled much?" Kylo questions curiously.
"It's difficult to travel when you don't have enough money for your own ship when you have to use it for any food you can get," Rey admits, her voiced tinged in sadness.
Kylo tightens his grip on the banister. His body fills with rage over hearing this. No one should have to struggle with getting food.
"I'm sorry, Miss Rey. No one should have to go through this. Who is the one causing this unfair pay?" he asks, trying to keep himself calm despite wanting to turn the ship around to find this person and teach him a lesson.
"Unkar Plutt, the blacksmith master of Takodana. I was dropped off on his doorstep when I was but a child and he took me on as an apprentice. Or, at least I thought I was an apprentice to him," she shares.
"The blacksmith? I never knew Takodana had one," Kylo murmurs.
"This is because he doesn't make anything much anymore. He mostly has his workers steal from others to pass off their goods as his own. I hated doing it but there was no other way for me to get food and survive," Rey answers.
He turns to look at her and feels his heart swell with emotion and a sense of protection for her. Carefully he places his hand on top of her own and squeezes it gently.
"Plutt doesn't deserve you. I'll make sure he drops his debt over you and pays for everything he owes you," Kylo answers, his voice deep with fury.
Rey looks up at him, her heart fluttering from how he holds her hand and from his protective nature. In all her life she's never had anyone by her side. It's always been just herself, no family aside from Maz occasionally helping out where she could. Otherwise Rey was mostly on her own. Before she can answer Kylo, Hux pops up behind them.
"Captain, we are approaching the port of Crait," he states promptly.
"Thank you Hux. Prepare the ship for our arrival and get a group ready to transport the cargo," Kylo replies.
After Hux salutes and walks away, Kylo turns his attention back to Rey. His warm, brown eyes lock onto her hazel ones.
"This shouldn't take very long. There is food in my cabin and you're welcome to as much as you want," he says softly.
"May I join you?" Rey asks quietly.
Kylo is surprised by her request. His eyebrow cocks up as he looks down at her.
"I'd like to see the person who's made you incapable of having your own life and tell him a thing of two," she replies with a mischievous smile.
"You're free to come along but please let me do the talking. I don't want any pain coming to you from him," he responds, holding her delicate hand in his own.
Rey is about to retort but stops when she sees how Kylo looks at her. His earnest eyes show strength and compassion with a hint of fear. She nods and follows him to make ready for their arrival to Port Crait.
They walk together towards the center of the ship and Kylo suddenly stops. He turns to face Rey with a cocked eyebrow.
"How comfortable are you with a saber?" Kylo asks.
"I've handled one a few times," she replies, crossing her arms and smiling confidently.
"We'll see," he replies, smiling as he tosses a spare sword to Rey and draws his own.
She catches it nimbly in such a way it makes Kylo pause to clear his throat. Never has he seen such grace in someone before. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he brings his sword up to his face as a salute before settling into an en guarde stance. Rey mimics his motions and begins to circle him. The tips of their swords touch gently as they wait for one to make the first move.
The circling continues for a few more steps before Rey slices forward with the first strike. Kylo easily deflects it and returns to his en guarde position. Rey's eyes narrow determinedly as she slices once again, her blow deflected with ease as Kylo grins at her mischievously. With a grunt, she swings three, four, five times towards Kylo and takes steps closer to him. He defends each of her slices and chuckles heartedly when she growls in frustration. After a few more strikes from her sword, their blades finally clash together and press against each other. They stare into each others eyes for a few moments before Kylo turns on the heat.
He pushes forward and begins slicing some strikes of his own. Rey tries her best to defend each one and Kylo is surprised by her drive. When their blades collide together again, they gaze once more into each others eyes. Kylo smiles at her and gives her a nod of approval. Seeing this, Rey lets up her advance and lowers her blade. He follows suit and touches the tip of his blade to her own as a sign of respect. She repeats the gesture towards him.
"Impressive," Kylo breathes.
"Thank you," Rey replies softly.
He doesn't miss her blush and he smiles at her. She smiles in return and walks closer to him, holding the blade out to him. Kylo steps forward and places his hand on her own.
"Keep it," he says gently.
Before she can reply, Hux strolls up to them. He clears his throat before speaking.
"We've arrived, Captain," the first mate states.
"Thank you, Hux. Drop anchor and prepare the landing party," Kylo commands.
Hux bows his head in salute and marches off with orders in hand. Kylo's eyes drop down to Rey's and he smiles at her softly.
"Are you sure you wish to join me? The man we're meeting isn't one for the faint of heart," he asks.
Rey fastens her sword to her belt and folds her arms. Her hip drops slightly as she looks up at him with a cocked eyebrow. Kylo fights the urge to place his hand on this sassy hip of Rey's.
"I'm not afraid of a silly old man," she replies smugly.
Kylo chuckles and steps closer to her. He leans down and Rey trembles from his warm breath tickling her ear. His nearness is intoxicating to her and is unlike anything she's ever encountered.
"I like your fire, Miss Rey," Kylo breathes, brushing his fingertips against her own.
She fights a moan from his whispered words and turns to follow him and the landing party off the ship. Her skin tingles from his touch as she walks beside him through Port Crait. Kylo feels apprehensive about bringing her along but can't help but feel calmer than he's ever been while walking through the crowded streets. Perhaps this will finally be the last time he ever sets foot in this godforsaken place. He only hopes this is true.